The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and the University of Kelaniya (UoK) recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aims at developing and promoting the accounting education and the profession in the country.
The MoU was signed by CA Sri Lanka President Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse and Vice Chancellor of the Kelaniya University Prof. Sarath Amunugama.
The primary objective of the agreement is to help promote and nurture the accounting education, practice and the accounting profession of Sri Lanka by capitalizing on the institutional strengths of both institutions.
CA Sri Lanka President, Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse emphasized that as the largest tertiary education provider in the country outside the university system, CA Sri Lanka is continuously striving to further the importance of the accounting education in the country amongst the youth and this is yet another important initiative to further promote the significance of accountancy amongst university students.
“Today we have 41,000 students following our globally recognized chartered accounting course and this MoU will be mutually beneficial to both institutions and the students studying at CA Sri Lanka and UoK,” he said.
Mr. Rajapakse noted that the Institute has a considerable number of students who are following the chartered accountancy course along with the academic degree offered through universities in the country. “With the MoU, students from the Kelaniya University can enjoy further exemptions to follow the chartered accountancy course at CA Sri Lanka,” he added.
CA Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Mr. Aruna Alwis noted that in its capacity as the national body of accountants, the institute is committed to provide its students and members the best of both professional and academic educational opportunities and therefore the tie up with the university of Kelaniya is also one such accomplishment in this endeavor.
“Today our institute boasts of exceptional infrastructure facilities situated within an ultra-modern multi storied building complex in Colombo 7 and apart from our chartered accountancy course, we also offer a range of diplomas, postgraduate qualifications and a MBA for students and professionals in the accounting and finance sectors,” he said, while adding that the primary aim of the institute is to help groom fully fledged professionals with the required skills and competencies in all areas.
The MoU will facilitate the designing and offering of a Bachelor of Business Management Accountancy (General) degree programme accredited by the UoK which will be delivered through the distance learning mode, subject to the approval of the Council of CA Sri Lanka and the Senate of the UoK.
The Department of Accounting (DoA) of the Kelaniya University will also offer placements on its Master of Business in Accounting/ Master of Business in Finance post-graduate degree programmes to CA Sri Lanka members, subject to the approval of the Council.
The agreement will allow both CA Sri Lanka and UoK to jointly design and implement continuous professional development programmes for the benefit of the institute members, academics and students.
The MoU will also promote activities between the DoA’s Student Association (ASAK) and CA Sri Lanka’s student body (CA Students Society) to jointly organize an annual accounting forum and to conduct career guidance workshops for the students. The DoA and CA Sri Lanka will also jointly develop research projects and organize an Annual Research Conference.
